Should I buy 2003 S or 2005 (986 or 987)?

[Sloan]

I don't have the link to 'my' thread handy, but I posted the same question long ago, got a ton of thoughtful responses, and ultimately purchased a low miles 2003 S.

I saw the exact same Consumer Reports, however, if you'll look at the 2007 cars edition, you'll see they said don't buy a 2004, and 2003 was great, and they don't explain the total reversal, so I lost faith in that measure.

I found a comprehensive aftermarket warranty for 5 years for under $2k (not a ton of mileage allowance, but that's fine for me).

I prefer the looks of the 986, and felt I got more for my money.

It is ultimately a personal choice, but I have no regrets having gone for the "S".

Good luck in your search, and please keep us informed.

[rahlstrom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

...I found a comprehensive aftermarket warranty for 5 years for under $2k (not a ton of mileage allowance, but that's fine for me)...

So another option I just found is a 2004 S that is Porsche Certified and under warranty for the next 2 years/50K with new brakes/rotors/tires but the car has 56K miles on it versus the 2003 S with 20K miles. Besides lower miles the 2003 S also has 18 inch rims with the 265/35ZR18s on the rear and PSM. Both are about $29K. So, more features/lower miles/no warranty or higher miles/warranty?

I am going mad trying to decide but really do appreciate all the thoughts and opinions of those that have posted!

[Sloan]

You saw that I was pretty quick to vote for the older "S" over the base 2005, but the new choice you pose is not as easy.

The only option that I really, really wanted that I did not get was PSM. I did get the 18" rims (flawless) and the BOSE system. I consider the PSM to be very desirable, but that's all from what I've read - in the time I've had my car and tried some mildly spirited driving, (including some typical South Florida heavy downpours)I have yet to experience any event that would have passed the PSM threshold, and I've even tried to test the limits - but the car just insists on sticking! So, so far I'm not so sorry for having 'compromised' and purchased w/o PSM, but from what I hear, all it takes is that ONE time, and you wish you had it.

I think you will hear from others on this board (or may have already read) that mileage is not such a big deal. They have more experience with these cars than I do for sure, but I could never fully grasp or buy in to the 'mileage is not important' argument, and that's why I purchased a low-mileage car. While I plan to keep the car for a long time, and resale value was not a consideration in my purchase, those 'outside' the Porsche world typically still think lower mileage is better.

The Porsche CPO is big - as I understand it, that's not just an aftermarket warranty that buys you the right to fight with them over claim denials - that's actual security - and quite valuable. That may be hard to pass up, and you may hear that it makes up for the mileage difference (I would not dare to say).

So, like I said, your second question is harder than the first. Let me ask you this - which one looks better to you - inside and out? Both will be excellent cars, so sometimes you need to be less analytical and more instinct driven ....

Final factors - you can upgrade rims, but can't add PSM to the '04. You can buy a warranty for the '03, but it will not be Porsche CPO.

Any other differences you can tell us about to help you choose? Links to ads / photos?

[Topless]

Both are great cars. 03 S is my personal favorite Boxster so that is what I would choose. All of the good stuff, none of the bad.

[rahlstrom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

Any other differences you can tell us about to help you choose? Links to ads / photos?

First, thanks for the very thoughtful reply. Here are the finer details:

The '03 is owned by a 2nd owner Porsche fanatic with all service records and a regular schedule of detailing and oil changes. It is black on black which is my favorite color combination. It is also in great shape with very minor exterior flaws.

The '04 is a two owner car but it doesn't come with service records. The interior is gray and the exterior is a very dark gray, almost with a bluish hue. I like the color of this one but I love the black on black.

So '04 with no records but backed up by Porsche, '03 with records but I'm on my own. Esthetically I would go hands down with the '03 and if that was the car with 56K miles and under Porsche warranty it would probably already be in my garage!

[Bob O]

LOL.. you're going to confuse yourself to the point of going mad! Have you made a decision about WHAT you want.. in other words, among other things, which is more important to you: the mileage or the warranty?

When I searched for mine I went through much the same hair pulling as you. It helped a lot when I prioritized what I was looking for. Set a top price you're willing to pay, set a maximum amount of mileage you'll accept, what color do you want???, what options MUST it have and which are, well, optional. THEN go looking for the newest one you can find with your stated criteria. I don't know if it will work for you but it certainly did for me.

Bob

ps.. do you really want 18's? I know a lot (most?) people think they look better, and I do too, but....have you compared the ride with 18 vs 17's? Have you priced new tires 18 vs 17's? If you live in an area with a lot of potholes you should consider the greater possibility of wheel damage since you've got less sidewall height to protect the wheel when you hit one. Just something else to consider. Just mho.

Bob

[super66]

rahl.....reads like color is a big factor for you....I wouldn't forget that...options, warranties...all things you can fix....

but driving a grayish blue boxster wont replace the black one you want....I would never sacrifice color....I could have got a couple different boxsters but stuck to my white on black...passed up a couple white on blue and white on tans with tips....stuck to my colors and learned to drive stick.....

at the end of the day you have to look at it and love it....if the guy is a porsche freak, then I wouldn't worry as much get the one you want and dont look back, you will go crazy

[Sloan]

Based on the additional information you supplied, it seems like the CPO status of the '04 is the only real benefit of that car. The '03 has the preferred appearance, options, lower miles, etc.. I can also sense that you are more interested in / excited about the '03.

I'd suggest you get quotes for the best possible aftermarket warranty for the '03, compare the coverage to CPO coverage, and see if that helps with the decision. Also consider that the lower mileage '03 with all service records may be less likely to actually need serious work than the car with more miles and less known pedigree. I always keep in mind that even if service does not cost you $ out-of-pocket, it still takes your time and is usually a big hassle too.

As for the comments about the 18" wheels - I can tell you the car still rides very comfortably with the 18"'s, but the roads here are not too bad (worse than you might think though). So, unless you have real problems with the roads in your area or where you need to drive, I would not be too worried about that. I'm acutally surprised at how comfortable the ride is even with such low-profile tires.

[eqs]

This is my first post here. Is the 05 out of the question then?

[rahlstrom]

Originally Posted by eqs

This is my first post here. Is the 05 out of the question then?

I decided to go with the 2003 Boxster S. I will be picking it up tomorrow.

It ended up being $3K lower in price after negotiation than the 2005 and I really liked the features/color of the '03 much more than the '04. It has virtually everything I want with the exception of the Bose stereo but that is no longer a factor as I will be installing a Pioneer Avic D3 this weekend using the install kit mentioned elsewhere on this forum.

By the way, there is a $200 rebate from Pioneer on the AVIC through the end of April.

Sloan, super66 and Bob O hit the nail on the head in that when I really thought about which car excited me, the black on black '03 quickly came to the top! The '03 was also much easier to upgrade to the AVIC and I love gadgets.

Can't wait to get behind the wheel. I'll post some pictures once it's mine!

Thanks everyone for the great advice!